Black & Decker The Complete Guide: Maintain Your Pool & Spa: Repair & Upkeep Made Easy

241 Pages·2007·109.45 MB·English

by  Rich Binsacca

~ BlACK&DECKER®
THE COMPLETE GUIDE
Repair & Upkeep Made Easy
Rich Binsacca
(j
Creative Publishing
international
CHANHASSEN. MINNESOTA
www.creativepub.com
(j
Creative Publishing
international
Copyright © 2007 President/CEO: Ken Fund
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
18705 Lake Drive East Home Improvement Group
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Publisher: Bryan Trandem
1-800-328-3895
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley
Printed at R. R. Donnelley Senior Design Manager: Brad Springer
Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Mary Rohl
1098765432 1
Art Director: Dave Schelitzche
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Director of Photography: Tim Himsel
Binsacca, Rich.
The complete guide : maintain your pool & spa: repair & upkeep Lead Photographer: Steve Galvin
made easy / by Rich Binsacca. Photo Coordinators: Julie Caruso, Joanne Wawra
p. cm . Shop Manager: Randy Austin
At head of title: Black & Decker.
Summary: "Includes information on basic maintenance, water Production Managers: Laura Hokkanen, Linda Halls
quality, seasonal upkeep, and routine repairs. Provides everything
needed to keep water features in good operating condition"-- Author: Rich Binsacca
Provided by publisher. Page Layout Artist: Joe Fahey
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-286-0 (soft cover)
Illustration: Dave Schelitzche, Earl Slack
ISBN-10: 1-58923-286-0 (soft cover)
Photographers: Joel Schnell, Aaron Parker
1. Swimming pools--Maintenance and repair. I. Title. II. Title:
Black & Decker the complete guide, maintain your pool & spa.
TH4763.B56 2007
643'.5560288--dc22
2006029242
THE COMPLETE GUIDE - Maintain Your Pool & Spa
Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation with Black & Decker.
Black & Decker® is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.
NOTICE TO READERS
For safety, use caution, care , and good judgment when following the procedures described in this
book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property
or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided . The techniques shown in this
book are general techniques for various applications . In some instances, additional techniques not
shown in this book may be required . Always follow manufacturers ' safety warnings and instructions
included with products. Deviation from the directions may create injury exposure and void warranties .
The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required . Some may not be appropriate for all
do-it-yourselfers , and some may require professional help . Consult your local building department
for information on building permits, codes , and other laws as they apply to your project.
2 •
Contents
Maintain Your
Pool and Spa
INTRODUCTION . ...... . .... 5 Testing and Balancing POOL AND SPA SAFETY .... 221
Your Water ..... . ....... . ... 80
Safety Equipment .. . .. . . . .. 225
THE WORLD OF Delivery Systems . ....... . ... 84
Lighting . . .... . ... . .. . . . .. 227
POOLS AND SPAS ..... . .... 9 Safe Storage and Handling .... 87
Rules and Signs . ... . .. . . . .. 229
Making Good Decisions for Your
Underwater Experience ... .. . 12 Fences and Gates ...... . . . .. 231
SYSTEMS AND REPAIRS . . .. 91
Concrete Pools and Spas . .. . .... 17 Pool and Spa Covers . .. . . . .. 233
The Motor and Pump .. ..... .. 94
Vinyl-Lined Pools and Spas .. . ... 21
Filtration Systems . . ... . .... 102
Fiberglass Pools .. . .. .. .... . ... 26
RESOURCES . ... . ..... . .. 236
Heaters and Electrical
Above-ground Pools .... .. .. . .. . . 29
Systems ............... . . . 124 PHOTO CREDITS .. . . . ...... 236
Spas .. . ..... . ...... . . .. . . ... 31
Plumbing systems . . ... . .... 140 INDEX .. . .. . ... . . .. .. .. 237
Swim Spas .. .... . .. .. .... . ... 32
Nonmechanical Repairs ...... 157
Hot Tubs .. .. .... . .. .. .... . ... 35
Soft-sided Tubs and Spas . . . . .... 36
UPGRADING YOUR
Infinity Edges .... . .. .. .... . ... 37
POOL AND SPA .. . ..... . . 173
Indoor Pools and Spas . ... . . .... 38
Project Planning ... .... .. ..... 174
The Pool Deck .... .. .... . . .... 40
Setting a Budget and Selecting
Landscaping . .... . .. .. .... . ... 42 a Contractor . .. ... ... ... .. .. . 175
Water Features ... . .. .. .... . ... 43
Respecting What You Have ...... 177
Adding a Spa . .... ... .... . .. . 178
CLEANING AND
MAINTENANCE . .. .. ..... 45 Affordable Alternatives .. . ..... 179
A Cleaning and Maintenance Adding Amenities ...... ... .... 179
Schedule . .. . ........ . .. . . . .. 55
Replacing a Pool Deck ... .. ..... 181
Conserving Energy, water,
System Upgrades ...... ... .... 182
and other Resources . . . .. . ... . . 55
Annual Maintenance .... .. . . ... 66
SEASONAL
MAINTENANCE ........ . . 201
WATER QUALITY ......... 73
Closing or Winterizing .. . .. . . 202
Ideal Water Quality .... . ..... 74
Reopening ... .. . . .... .. . . . 214
Sanitizers .................. 78
Organic Sanitizers . . ........... 80
• 3
I
In trod uction
wning a swimming pool or spa is part of the American
Dream of homeownership. Who has n't envisioned
Olounging by the pool , splashing in the wate r on a hot
summer day, or enjoying a relaxi ng soak in a bubbling outdoor
tub? Once we attai n the goal of owning our own home, the
next logica l thought is to improve it. Pools and spas often top
the wish list.
If yo u currently own a swimming pool or spa, or are hop-
ing or planning to add one (or both) somewhere in your yard,
this book is for you. While there is signifi cant va lue in the
pure pleasures of ovvning and using a pool or spa, their bene-
fits extend into achieving better fitn ess and enhancing prop-
erty value, among others.
In turn, it makes sense to understand the inner workings
of a pool and spa and how to maintain them to retain their
myriad benefits. Whether you plan to tackle the bulk of the
maintenance chores or hire a selvice technician to take care
of some or all of them, being an educated pool or spa owner is
a cornerstone for long-lasting enjoyment.
This book encompasses everything pool or spa owners
need to ga in that knowledge and app ly it to their particular
circumstances, ski ll level, and comfort zone. In addition to a
comprehensive overview of the diffe rent types and styles of
pools, spas, and accessories available today, this book pro-
vides detailed information about proper cleaning, routine and
seasonal maintenance, ac hieving hea lthy water quality, and
ensuring pool safety. You'll learn about the complete set of
equipment for both a pool and spa, from heaters and filters to
pumps and ski mmers and-perhaps most important- trou-
bleshooting tips for their maintenance and repair.
This introduction provides an ovelview of what to expect
from thi s book. It also adds some depth to the various (and
often combined) benefits of owning a pool and/or spa, the
reasons to properly maintain those features, and tips for low-
ering ongoing operating costs and ene rgy consumption.
There's also a gloss31y of the basic pool and spa terms you'll
come across as yo u read each chapte r.
I n/-roduction • 5
Types of Pools & Spas Water Quality
Beyond the basics of defining the differences As with regularly scheduled cleaning, it is essential to
between an in-ground and an above-ground pool, as the operation and enjoyment of a pool or spa to keep
well as a spa and hot tub, this chapter illustrates and the water clean and chemically balanced. This chap-
explains the various materials and methods used to ter translates water chemistry into practical terms
build and finish pools and spas. You'll also gain and tasks, from the chemicals and organic treatments
insight into increasingly popular infinity-edge pools, to various delivery systems, so that you can achieve
integrated pools and spas, and indoor facilities. safe and healthy water guality.
Cleaning and Maintenance Systems and Repairs
This is the stuff most pool and spa owners tackle This chapter is the heart of this book, providing- in
on their own: the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual both text and photos- the inner workings of pools and
routine chores associated with properly keeping a spas. Divided into five subchapters, it's an exhaustive
pool or spa clean of debris and other hazards that treatment that not only covers the eguipment set that
can hinder its optimal operation and your enjoy- every pool and spa relies on for its operation, but also
ment. This chapter shows you the basic set of tools the various components and materials of each piece
and eguipment needed to do the job and offers a within the set, including basic information about how
handy calendar for cleaning and other fundamental to maintain and repair them. Included in this section
maintenance. are several fully photographed examples of some fairly
advanced projects, such as replacing the element of a
spa heater or replacing a leaking spa jet. Even if you
never plan to lay a hand on the eguipment set, this
chapter will give you a solid base of knowledge to work
efficiently with a pool or spa professional.
6 • MAINTAI N YOUR POOL AND SPA
Glossary of Basic Pool &
Spa Terms
In-ground-A pool or spa built into the property
as a permanent fixture or feature
Above-ground-A freestanding pool or spa
constructed on the surface of the property,
often (but not always) so that it can be
removed or placed elsewhere, if necessary.
Hot tUb-A freestanding, non-jetted, above-
ground tub of heated water, primarily for
relaxation.
Seasonal and Special Maintenance
Spa-An in-ground or freestanding/above-
For most pool owners, winterizing and reopening is a ground jetted tub of heated water, designed
necessary rite of seasonal passing and a critical either for hydrotherapy, relaxation or both;
process in protecting and maintaining the value of a most modern freestanding/above-ground units
pool. In addition to an illustrated, step-by-step guide feature a self-contained equipment set for
to winterizing and reopening a pool, this chapter pro- mobility and ease of service or maintenance.
vides tips for the proper care and seasonal storage of
Equipment set-The essential works of a
outdoor furniture.
pool or spa, including the heater, pumps and
motors, valves, and filters, among other
components.
Skid pack-The equipment set for a free-
standing spa, contained within the unit.
pool deck-The area surrounding the pool or
spa, constructed of various materials including
concrete, tile, paving stones, or wood, among
others.
Solar-Heating and lighting systems that utilize
or rely upon the sun for their operational
power.
Winterizing (or closing)-The process of
preparing and protecting a swimming pool
during long stretches of non-use, typically
during extreme cold or other winter season
conditions.
Pool Safety Service professional (or Technician)-A
Normally, the rule is "safety first," but this chapter is licensed, certified, and/or professionally
placed at the end in hopes it wi ll leave a lasting trained expert in the proper maintenance and
impression on the importance of keeping your pool repair of pools and/or spas. Also called a serv-
and spa, above all else, safe and hazard-free. ice provider or contractor.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Infinity-edge-A design technique that makes
Commission, more than 250 children under the age the outer edge(s) of a pool or spa appear to
of five drown every year, among thousands of acci- have no discernible stop or coping treatment
dents and deaths related to residential swimming to contain the water.
pools. This chapter offers a comprehensive approach Integrated pools and spas-Pools that feature
to pool and spa safety, including the latest regulations a spa as part of their design, effectively creating
and advice from industlY trade associations , watch- two temperature zones (the higher temperature
dog groups, and government agencies. in the spa) within the same footprint.
Introduction • 7